Dr. Karen Schellenberg

Welcome to my practice! I am a licensed psychologist in California and earned my psychology doctorate degree from an APA-accredited training program at Pepperdine University in 2003. My doctoral dissertation was on resiliency and social competency, which I believe helped build the strengths-based foundation that I work from. I completed my APA-accredited internship in community mental health and subsequently worked at UCLA until managing a satellite clinic for a nonprofit organization called, Prototypes. I bring with me many years of education, training, and clinical experience supporting individuals through periods of complexity, change, and growth. I have supported people navigating a wide range of emotional, relational and life challenges from mild issues related to life's circumstances to the most severe mental health challenges.

Clients tend to find my style warm, grounded, genuine, and attuned. I aim to create a therapeutic space that feels comfortable and safe, a space that is supportive and collaborative. I have the training and although you may not feel like it right now, you are the true expert of you. Together, let's find a way for you to continue to grow.

I work with adult individuals at many stages of life, primarily young adults in college or just starting out, professionals, parents of all ages, stay-at-home moms and dads, grandparents and older adults. My typical clients are adults trying to balance the demands of work, relationships, family and their own personal well-being.

A little bit about me. I am happily married with children and I have been a professional and a full-time mom working intermittently throughout my career taking chunks of time away to focus on being a mom raising my own children. I am thrilled to now be returning to clinical work welcoming new clients like you!

My approach is collaborative, compassionate, and strengths-based. I believe therapy works best when you feel heard, supported, and actively engaged in the process. Together, we'll explore the challenges you're facing, identify and build on your strengths, and develop practical strategies to support meaningful change. I am committed to fostering resilience, personal growth, and overall well-being, with the goal of helping you feel more confident, capable, and empowered in your daily life.

Therapy Begins after a short Phone Call at no cost and after the Initial Intake Meeting. This will be different from therapy, as it is more of an interview approach to gather context, background and direction. I use an approach called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and within this framework, we will have an ongoing collab, looking at how your unique thoughts, emotions, behaviors and physiology work together so you can learn and practice moving forward more effectively.